International Students
Almost 50% of our student body are international students who contribute greatly to the multi-cultural environment at VanArts.
Please note that International Students officially begin their enrolment & studies at VanArts on the Thursday before the listed start date.
International Student Visas (non-USA)
All international students are required to have a Student Authorization/Visa and Study Permit covering their period of study. You must apply for these documents in advance at the Canadian Embassy office designated for your country. If you are not sure where to apply for your visa, click here and search for the specific website for your country’s visa office.
Applying for a visa can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to 2 months, depending on the country, so plan ahead and apply immediately upon receiving your Acceptance Letter. You must have your student visa and study permit approved no later than 3 weeks before your program starts, or else we may need to defer your enrollment to the next start date, or cancel your application. Please keep us informed as to the status of your visa application processing.
There is a nominal fee ($125) for the Student Authorization/Visa which is paid to Immigration Canada. When you apply for your visa, you MUST have with you for submission:
- A letter of acceptance for your program of study from VanArts.
- Evidence of financial support during your study period, i.e., a notarized letter or affidavit from your bank or parents, or student loan documents.
- Evidence of intentions to return to your country of origin after your studies are complete.
- Prepaid tuition fees and present your receipt or have a certified cheque or bank draft with you payable to VanArts.
- Proof of citizenship, i.e., passport or birth certificate.
Some countries may also require you to have a medical and police check before your visa is approved. Failure to submit all of these documents and evidences may result in your visa being rejected, often with little chance of appeal. Before applying for your visa, please read all details carefully on the official Immigration Canada website.
Visa Review Services
VanArts offers expertise for the student visa application and immigration consulting, provided by a Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant. It is highly recommended that you have your student visa application reviewed before it is submitted to the Canadian Consulate for processing, as this will ensure a much higher probability for success. The cost of this review is $400 paid directly to the consultant, and this fee will be credited towards fully paid tuition, as long as your visa is approved and you enroll in your chosen program of study at VanArts. Our consultant can also represent the entire application, and can be contacted for a quote.
To take advantage of this valuable visa review service, please send a scan of your entire student visa application by e-mail to:
Liz McDonald, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
E-Mail: info@LizMcDonaldConsulting.com
Tel: 1-604-970-0075
* please copy (cc:) Janet Cacchioni, Director of Admissions
on your message to: janet@vanarts.com
Are you from India? Please see our dedicated Admissions India page for more information.
Student Visas ( USA)
All US students are required to have a Student Authorization/Visa and Study Permit covering their period of study. Students who are citizens of the US can pick up their student visa document from the US/Canada border when they move to Canada. There is NO need to apply for it in advance through the Canadian Embassy.
There is a nominal fee ($125) for the Student Authorization/Visa which is paid to Immigration Canada. When you pick up your visa at the border, you must have with you:
- A letter of acceptance for your program of study from VanArts.
- Evidence of financial support during your study period, i.e., a notarized letter from your bank or parents, or student loan documents.
- Prepaid tuition fees and present your receipt or have a certified cheque or bank draft with you payable to VanArts.
- Proof of citizenship, i.e., passport or birth certificate.
Part-Time Courses & Intensives
If you are an international student abroad applying for a part-time course, see if your country requires a visitors’ visa and please ensure that you currently have your proper travel documents arranged or confirmed, or ideally that you are already physically present in Canada before you register. (You don’t need to be already in Canada to register for a 1-month intensive) We cannot issue any formal soft-copy Immigration letters or documents other than a payment receipt & confirmation letter, and students are subject to the same cancellation/refund policies if a part-time course does not have adequate enrollment. Contact us if you have any questions.
English Proficiency Requirement
For students whose first language is not English, below are the minimum scores required from any one of the following tests in English proficiency: IELTS, TOEFL or TOEIC. If necessary, we may also require a telephone or in-person interview.
- International English Language Testing Service (IELTS): minimum score required is overall 6.0.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): minimum score required is 68 for the internet-based exam, 190 for the computer-based exam and 520 for the paper-based exam.
- Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC): minimum score required is 700.
Requirement Exception: International students who have completed their high school education where English was the main language of instruction are not required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC scores. A submission of your transcripts from high school or college is sufficient for the application process.
Accreditations
VanArts is accredited by PCTIA (Private Career Training Institutions Agency of BC), and has been awarded an Education Quality Assurance (EQA) standing by the province of British Columbia.
